The Blue Water District School Board is facing a $4.3 million

budget shortfall for the 2011-2012 school  year, on a budget

of about $200 million. This is on the heals of a $1.7  million

dollar projected deficit for the current year.

I would like to share some comments on this.

As a new trustee, this is my first budget deliberation.

It is a steep learning curve – trying to balance the budget

while providing the best education possible for the students.

I have advanced a notice of motion for consideration

on June 21 that includes seeking out cuts that least 

affect students:  looking to reduce administrative costs;

seeking out external funding sources; requesting input

from the Minister or Ministry of Education and considering

submitting a deficit budget, if trustees feel the cuts will

 have too devastating an effect  on students. 

I fear for our students.

On the chopping block are: the very important Technology

Centres for Grade 7 and 8 students (est. $842,066), 

and the Supervised Alternate Learning Centres for

high school students in need of assistance

(est. $389,848).

What is the origin of the problem? 

Is it the funding formula? Is it the fact that as a rural board,

we have partially full schools spread out all over Bruce

and Grey Counties? 

Is it declining enrolment?

I think it is all of those.

The Ministry will report that since 2002/03,enrolment at 

BWDSB has declined by 23.5 per cent, yet the per-pupil

funding has increased by 59%. I don’t dispute this.

The public needs to know, however, that much of the

increased funding – for important programs such as 

full-day kindergarten and primary division class size

reduction – have been very specifically allocated.

Funding has not changed significantly on a “real” basis 

during this period of time.

I direct the reader to an excellent document written by 

economist Hugh Mackenzie:“No Time for Complacency,

Education Funding Reality Check,” (November, 2009):

"The problem is that the additional  funding provided under

these initiatives is mandated for specific new purposes.

It is not available to address the underlying funding 

shortfalls that had persisted until 2004-5. The $1.1

 billion inflation-adjusted loss in 2004-5 has not been addressed.

That fact helps to explain why school boards continue to grapple

with substantial  financial problems despite increased overall

funding. 

The other major contributing factor is that the formula does

not adequately address the financialdifficulties faced by

school boards coping with declining enrolments” (p. 14).

This report is dated November, 2009, but I

 believe the problems remain.

So what do we do?

I provide the above background information, not to point fingers,

but to set context.  I personally want to work with my fellow

trustees, senior board staff, board employees and Ministry 

staff to reach a resolution.

I sincerely hope that, if asked, Ministry staff will assist us.

Sincerely,
Kevin Larson
Trustee, BWDB
Saugeen Shores and Arran-Elderslie